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With technology constantly advancing, it
seems like everyday more and more things are
moving online. You can read the newspaper,
pay your bills, watch your favorite
television show, and shop for shoes all from
the comfort of your own home. Pressed for
time, it seems only natural that many people
are now turning to online degree programs as
a way to advance their education. Especially
convenient for full-time workers and
stay-at-home parents, online education
programs provide a flexible schedule that is
great for any student struggling to make it
to traditional classes. In fact, a 2009
study by the Department of Education found
that on average, students perform better in
online classes than in traditional classes.
But before beginning any online degree
program, students must make sure that it is
the right choice for them. First and
foremost, any student considering an online
degree program must have access to the
following resources:
- A Computer - It may seem obvious, but
students taking online classes need to have
a computer. Students who do not have access
to a computer at home or at work may be able
to use one at the local college or library,
but it could be a hassle. Since you will be
completing all of your assignments on the
computer, you want it to be as convenient as
possible for you to get your work done.
Students will have access to their
assignments anytime, day or night, but a
computer lab at a college or library may not
always be open when you need it.
- The Internet - In addition to a computer,
students must have access to the Internet.
All of the lecture notes, reading materials
and assignments guidelines you will need to
complete your classes are online. A
high-speed, wireless Internet connection is
probably the best option, and make sure that
you have reliable access.
- An e-mail Account - Because
there are no face-to-face class meetings
for online education programs, students
will be communicating with classmates
and professors a lot via e-mail.
Students should have an e-mail account
that they can check regularly for class
updates and use to correspond with
professors, classmates and academic
advisors. If students do not already
have an e-mail account, then they can
set up one for free from such Internet
websites as
Google,
Yahoo and
Microsoft's
Hotmail service.
It is important for students to keep in mind
that they will be using these technologies
on a regular basis. While you do not have to
be a computer expert to take an online
class, you should feel relatively
comfortable using a computer, navigating the
Internet and sending an e-mail. Students
with little computer knowledge may want to
reconsider an online degree program.
In addition to these technology
requirements, students who are thinking
about pursuing an online education program
should have strong writing skills and
possess the necessary motivation and
self-discipline to complete their degree.
Without face-to-face discussions, students
will have to express their thoughts and
ideas via e-mail, discussion forums and chat
rooms, so good writing skills are a must.
Students must be comfortable working on
their own to complete assignments and to
solve any problems that may arise along the
way. Immediate feedback may not always be
available.
An online degree program can be a great
opportunity for people to advance your
education. It is incredibly flexible and
convenient, which makes it easy to get the
skills you need while maintaining your
already hectic schedule. However, as with ay
college search, it is important to make sure
that an online degree program is the best
option for you. Students considering an
online education must have access to a
computer, the Internet and an e-mail
account, and they should feel relatively
comfortable using these technologies. In
addition, they should consider whether or
not they have the writing skills and
personality requirements necessary to
successfully finish an online degree. Once
you determine that an online education is
the right choice for you, there are plenty
of degree programs available to meet all of
your educational and professional goals.
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A Good Idea... A Separate e-mail
Account. |
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Today
there are dozens of Web sites that
offer free e-mail accounts complete
with lots of features, like Google's
Gmail, which gives users more
than 7,000 megabytes of space -
free. With those kinds of options,
you may want to use a separate
e-mail account for your school work,
and keep it professional. Stick with
a variation of your name, and save
the "PrrtyGrl" and "Cr8zyDude"
e-mail accounts for your friends. |
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